Friday, April 30, 2010

It started out well..I got up early...went to a yard sales for a few hours and found a truckload of fantastic things - but then it started. The downhill slide that makes your wonderful day just totally crash and burn. You know the kind...where you feel slapped in the face at every turn. Ugh.

So let me get to my point. I promised a preview of my goods for my booth at Kane County Flea Market this weekend...and I didn't want to disappoint. But lets just say an unexpected visit to the ER for my sweet man resulted in some stitches...and my photo preview idea to not turn out as planned.

But, I came through - kinda. With a photos of a whopping 7 of the 78 pieces I am bringing to the show

this weekend. I figured it was better than holding out on you completely.

But brace yourself.

You are about to view some of the worst photos in history. Bad lighting. Lots of shadows. And one very dusty floor at my warehouse. To sum it up...I had exactly 10 minutes to snap as many pictures as I could before the goods all had to be loaded into not one...but two...huge U-haul trucks.

Did I ever tell you this 'painting-furniture-for-your-job' thing was glamorous? If I did - I soooo lied.

But I love it...so here we go.

I am totally crazy, flipping out in love with this H-U-G-E ornate frame. I just finished mounting a mirror in it...and it is stunning. Seriously. I have tons of mirrors for this show, all shapes sized and colors, but this one is just over-the-top!

And the desk...that old girl was rescued from the office at an old horse farm. The drawers were full of old ledgers from the 1950s. Those will be available at my booth at Junk Bonanza this September.

Wouldn't you have been just over-the-moon to have a bed like this as a little girl?? It has wide wood rails, too. So pretty...this one is a full size, but I have 4 twin beds and one more full size coming with me, too!

The desk on the left has a drop front- and the inside is full of little cubbys. Looks a little "Pottery Barn" to me...so glad I chose those handles for it.

And the bookcase...well, I never seem to be able to bring enough of those. I seem to sell every.single.one. They must be hard to find...hmmmm.

There are actually 4 of the chairs on the left. Oh, and there is a matching chair with arms that I have priced separately. I have a dining table, too.

The desk is soooo cute! It is curved...and I had a glass top made for it, too! It dates from the 1940s and is solid Mahogany. (don't freak out wood lovers - it was way beyond being able to be refinishd when I found it.) I have 7 or 8 desks going to this show. Not as many as usual, but I just couldn't seem to squeeze another one this month. But like always, I will be taking custom order...so if there is something you are looking for drop me a line.

I wish I could have photographed more for you! I will try to snap some pics at the show Saturday.

I can't wait to meet all your girls that emailed to tell me you will be at the show! Remember, I will be in the Arena Building...right on the main isle. I have 4 booths so you kinda can't miss me and the sea of furniture.

If you are the praying kind...please add a little thought in for me this weekend...there is a chance of rain! Yikes!

Oh, and for my annoncement I mentioed the other day...hopefully later today. Just ironing out a few details...so check back!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

That's right, girls! This weekend marks my official start to Flea Market Season! I will be at the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, IL this Saturday and Sunday!

Just look for me in the sea of white painted furniture. I will be the tall thing with dark hair sticking up over a pile of dresser...vanity tables...desks...coffee tables...cabinets...mirrors...chalkboards...you get the idea.

My booth location is the same it has been for the last few years, so most of you will know where to find me. On the main drag, right across from the Office/Bathroom area. I am in the Arena Building, right on the isle.

I will be trying to get photos of everything as I drag it out of storage to load the truck - so look for a preview on Friday. Oh, and a little announcement from me is coming on Friday, too! So do check back!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Did I ever tell you one of my favorite salvage stores here in my town is in a huge old brick warehouse...and in that warehouse they used to manufacture refrigerators waaay back in the day?? Well, I have a deep love for old industrial warehouses, I always have. The architecture, the huge freight elevators...the creaky wood floors, the 25 foot ceilings. They feel so well used and well loved to me. I love wandering through them.

The city of live in was once the manufacturing capital of the US - and yes, I am serious as silly as that may sound. Before everyone pulled up stakes a few years ago and high-tailed it for cheap labor in foreign countries just about everything you used in your home was made here in my city in little ol' Illinois. Every day when you open your kitchen cabinets, chances are your handles came from here...your washers, your dryers, your Rubbermaid totes, even your fine antique furniture. You name it, we made it here.

So, back to the story about my salvage store. It has a home in one of the formerly-abandoned beautiful old brick warehouses that used to manufacturer refrigerators. Today when I was there, I decided to ask more about the building. What used to be made there?...how many years it was open?...I just like to know the history of buildings. I have no idea why.

The story I was told was a short one, as the person telling me didn't seem to care one ounce about this building. So let me get straight to the part that made me want to cry.

When the salvage yard took over the warehouse a few years ago, the basement was still full of retro aqua, pink and yellow fridges.

BRAND-SPANKIN' NEW, and original to the 1950s.

The factory closed before they were ever shipped to a store.

There were over 100 of them down there, frozen in time.

So....guess what they did with them............

Did you guess??

They trashed every last one of them.

Trashed. As in garbage. As in perfectly painted, never used and scrapped out for a landfill.

Uh, HELLO stupid salvage people, did you ever think of putting them in your store and making about a million dollars on them??? Yeah, go ahead and sell scrap wood and broken windows for $2...and throw away the goldmine you had in the basement. Good idea!! (Yes, I said that all with sarcasm. Sorry. I am still a little bitter. I only learned this about 4 hours ago so have yet to get over it.)

Ugh.

Sick. Sick and very sad.

Do you ever get the feeling you need to run the world?

Today was one of those days I wished I could rewind the clock and take over.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Growing up, we lived in the country. Laundry was my chore, and to be honest I secretly loved doing it. The smell of dryer sheets still make me happy.

Weird, I know.

Anyway, once April rolled around, I was stricktly forbidden to use the dryer. It was "the sun is free and we have to pay for gas" school of thought that my mother drilled into me. Now, as an adult with my own home, I totally understand. I love to pinch a penny now and then. It frees up more cash for my "junking" excursions, right?!

(both photos from Country Living)

So here is what I just gotta know...

Do you "hang" your clothes to dry in the summer or still use the dryer?

I would love to hear your opinion. I am afraid my neighbors would hate it...I don't live in a 'clothesline' neighborhood. Then again, it is also not a "paint furniture in your driveway" or a "run your palm sander at 10pm" kind of neighborhood either, but I have yet to have a knock on my door with complaints. Ha!

So should I throw caution to the wind and do something as crazy as installing a clothesline in my backyard? Or would that give me the "hillbilly" label I have heard a neighbor or two mention? Oh, and I should clarify, I would never hang bras, undies or my hubbys boxers out to dry, just so ya know!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

I am on a bathroom kick today, so just thougt I would share my latest loves.

I have 3 bathrooms that are in desperate need of a makeover...so I am always on the hunt for inspiration. I love all of these...hope you will enjoy them as much as I do!

I am c-r-a-z-y about the color palette in this one. I am all about neutrals and natural pine. It is just soooo "me". I am seriously considering this look for my main bathroom. But I am not sure if I have the heart to cut open the top of a gorgeous old pine dresser.

Everthing just looks so casual and comfortable. I like things that are not too fussy. I can almost feel the summer breeze blowing through the window when I look at this bathroom.

I would just die to have a bathroom this large! If I put a cabinet like this in mine, I would not be able to walk in the door! LOVE the grey walls and of course...the chandi! Oh, and the whitewashed floors. My flooring guy thought I was such a nut the other day when I called for a quote to whitewash my oak floors. What does he know, anyway??

Loving this cabinet...I think I may have to do one for my show in May like this. The chicken-wire front is fabulous!

And the storage in this bath - WOW! I would love to have all those cupboards and cabinet doors to hide things behind! Oh, and of course...I am swoony over the grey walls.

I am a girl that is crazy about old metal...and the top of this vanity makes me just plain giddy! I need to find one. This is not a want. This is a NEED! I really think I am going to end up with beadboard ceiling in every room of my house, too!

Back to reality...I have to go clean the ugly bathrooms I have....and stop dreaming about the one's I don't.

After bathroom duty and a little laundry...I am off to paint a french-style entertainment center and the most gorgeous french-style bedroom set. Anyone out there shopping for a little girl's furniture? This bedroom set makes me wish I had one. A french armoire, sleigh bed, nightstand and vanity with a gorgeous bench that is soon to be painted a beautiful soft, off-white. It will be at the show in St. Charles, IL in May!

Monday, April 5, 2010

I started out early for my yard sale rounds. Now just a tip for you all in case you are ever driving in my town...if I see a sign that looks like this...I brake. Hard.

If someone took the time to paint their sign like this...they must have fabulous things, right?

When I see a sign like this I get that feeling...a few little butterflies...I drive a little faster than I should...and watch out if you think for a second you are going to pull out of a driveway in front of me. I will go over top of you.

Because at the end of it all...I leave with my truck looking like this.

And it is so worth it.

I wish I would have taken better photos, but I was in a hurry. I had to unload my loot from Round #1 and head back out for the rest of the sales! There is so much packed in the back of my truck, I could not even label it all.

I loaded up 3 times...it was fabulous.

And the back seat of the truck??

Well, lets not even go there. It was full. As in c-r-a-z-y full.

32 ornate antique portrait frames, old metal objects, metal baskets and old french books...oh and a few beautiful old linens, too.

It was a good day.

I have to sort and clean everything up today and start painting those frames! Maybe I will be able to snap more pics tomorrow. Most of this is going to the show with my in May, so if you see something you like..come see me!

let's chat! drop me an email!

urbanfarmgirlandco@yahoo.com

NEVER MISS A POST!

check out my pins!

click here to follow me

WHO AM I??

I am an urban farmgirl. The first 17 years of my life, I spent living in the country, on a little farm with a beautiful white barn and a big farmhouse I miss every day of my life. I was raised to work hard and love the simple things. Back then I yearned for the bright lights and a big city, but today, I find myself living in a small city and dreaming of returning to my roots.

I spend my days doing what I love...running my own little business...trying everyday to keep it from running me. I spend my nights dreaming of backroads, a big old farmhouse and living a life unscheduled. I am a homebody. Yet, I am a victim of wanderlust. I want to travel the world with my sweet husband. So come along for the ride. I will chronicle this crazy thing I call my life and all that entails. You will find a little bit of everything here...furniture makeovers, details of our travel, even a DIY saga or two as we reno our new home.